Condition Lookup

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Sub-category: Developmental and Congenital Bone Disorders

Symptoms:
hip instability; limping; limited hip movement in infants or young children

Root Cause:
Abnormal development of the hip joint, where the femoral head does not fit into the hip socket properly.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, ultrasound (in infants), and X-rays (in older children).

Treatment:
Pavlik harness for infants to hold the hip in the correct position. Surgery (e.g., hip reduction and hip arthroplasty) for severe cases or in older children.

Medications:
Typically, no specific medications; pain management can involve NSAIDs like ibuprofen .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 1,000 live births, with higher prevalence in females.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Breech presentation during delivery, family history, first-born child, and swaddling.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early detection and treatment, most children will have normal hip development. Delayed treatment may lead to arthritis or hip deformity.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hip osteoarthritis in later life. Difficulty with walking or walking delay in untreated children. Hip joint instability or dislocation.

Simple fractures (closed)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; swelling; bruising; limited range of motion; deformity at the fracture site

Root Cause:
A simple fracture occurs when a bone breaks but does not pierce the skin. This can happen due to trauma, such as a fall or direct impact.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, patient history, and confirmation via X-rays or CT scans to assess the type and location of the fracture.

Treatment:
Treatment often involves immobilization using a cast or splint to allow the bone to heal. In some cases, surgery may be necessary for realignment or stabilization.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ), acetaminophen , and, in some cases, opioid analgesics for severe pain. NSAIDs are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while opioids are classified as narcotic analgesics.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Simple fractures are common and can occur in individuals of all ages. It is more frequent in younger individuals due to sports injuries and in older adults due to falls.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, high-impact accidents, osteoporosis, and poor bone health.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment; healing usually occurs in 6-8 weeks. Most people regain full function of the affected bone.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications can include infection, delayed healing, malunion (bones healing in the wrong position), and permanent loss of function in severe cases.

Compound fractures (open)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; visible bone protrusion through the skin; bleeding; swelling; deformity

Root Cause:
A compound fracture occurs when a bone breaks and pierces through the skin, creating a wound and increasing the risk of infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, imaging (X-rays, CT scan), and clinical evaluation of the open wound and fracture site.

Treatment:
Treatment involves immediate cleaning of the wound to reduce infection risk, stabilization with a cast or surgery, and sometimes the use of antibiotics. Surgery may be required to realign the bone and insert hardware such as pins, plates, or screws.

Medications:
Antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin or clindamycin ) to prevent infection, pain relievers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen , opioids for severe pain), and possibly tetanus immunization if the injury is from a dirty object.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than simple fractures, but often occur in high-impact accidents or trauma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma such as car accidents, falls from a height, or sports injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the injury, the risk of infection, and the speed of medical intervention. Full recovery is possible with proper care.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, delayed union or non-union of the bone, deformity, loss of function, and nerve or blood vessel damage.

Stress fractures

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain during activity that decreases with rest; swelling; tenderness over the bone; localized pain

Root Cause:
A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, often seen in athletes or individuals with high-impact activities.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, history of overuse, and imaging such as X-rays, bone scans, or MRI to confirm the fracture.

Treatment:
Rest and cessation of the activity causing the stress. A boot, brace, or crutches may be used to immobilize the area. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) and acetaminophen . These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, respectively.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in athletes, particularly in sports that involve running or jumping (e.g., basketball, long-distance running).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive stress on bones, overtraining, improper footwear, nutritional deficiencies (e.g., calcium or vitamin D), and osteoporosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with rest and proper treatment. Full recovery is expected in 6-8 weeks.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If not treated properly, a stress fracture can progress to a full fracture or lead to chronic pain.

Pathological fractures (e.g., from osteoporosis, cancer)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; swelling; weakness; deformity; pain with minimal trauma

Root Cause:
A pathological fracture occurs when a bone that is weakened by disease (e.g., osteoporosis, cancer) breaks under normal or minimal stress.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, and a history of underlying diseases such as cancer or osteoporosis.

Treatment:
Treatment includes managing the underlying disease (e.g., osteoporosis medications, cancer treatment), pain management, and stabilization through a cast, brace, or surgery.

Medications:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate ) for osteoporosis; chemotherapy or targeted therapies for cancer-related fractures; pain relief with NSAIDs or opioids.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in older adults with osteoporosis, and individuals with bone metastasis from cancers (e.g., breast, prostate, lung cancer).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Osteoporosis, cancer (especially bone metastases), aging, hormonal changes, and chronic use of steroids.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the underlying disease and fracture severity. With appropriate treatment, recovery is possible, though functional recovery may be limited.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of recurrent fractures, chronic pain, disability, and complications from the underlying disease (e.g., cancer progression).

Congenital Scoliosis

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Developmental and Congenital Bone Disorders

Symptoms:
visible curvature of the spine; uneven shoulders or hips; back pain (in severe cases); decreased lung capacity in severe cases

Root Cause:
Abnormal vertebral formation or segmentation during fetal development, leading to a spinal curvature.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays, MRI (if soft tissue involvement is suspected), and sometimes CT scans.

Treatment:
Mild cases may be monitored with regular follow-ups. Moderate to severe cases may require bracing or surgical intervention, such as spinal fusion or growth-sparing techniques.

Medications:
Typically, no specific medications are required for congenital scoliosis, but pain management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (an analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication) may be used to relieve discomfort.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 1 in 10,000 live births, with a higher prevalence in males.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, maternal conditions such as diabetes or viral infections during pregnancy, and abnormal fetal development.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the severity of the curvature; mild cases may require minimal intervention, while severe cases may require extensive surgery. Early detection is crucial to preventing severe deformity and related complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progressive spinal deformity leading to increased pain and impaired mobility. Respiratory difficulties in severe cases. Neurological complications (e.g., nerve impingement) in advanced stages.

Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Developmental and Congenital Bone Disorders

Symptoms:
inward turning of the foot (medial rotation); pointed toes (equinus position); heel pointing downward

Root Cause:
Abnormal development of the tissues, muscles, tendons, and bones in the foot during fetal development.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination and X-rays, if needed, to evaluate the severity.

Treatment:
The Ponseti method, involving serial casting and possibly tendon release surgery. In severe cases, surgical correction may be necessary after casting.

Medications:
Typically, no medication is required for clubfoot, but pain relief can be achieved with NSAIDs like ibuprofen (an analgesic and anti-inflammatory).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 1 in 1,000 live births worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, male gender, and being born to mothers with certain conditions (e.g., diabetes).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early intervention, most children achieve near-normal foot function.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence of deformity. Stiffness and restricted movement in the foot and ankle. Arthritis in adulthood if untreated.

Blount’s Disease

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Developmental and Congenital Bone Disorders

Symptoms:
progressive bowing of the legs; pain in the knee or lower leg; abnormal gait

Root Cause:
Abnormal growth at the growth plate of the tibia, leading to bowed legs due to asymmetrical growth.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
X-rays, physical examination, and possibly MRI to assess the extent of deformity.

Treatment:
Bracing for mild cases. Surgical correction (e.g., osteotomy) in more severe cases.

Medications:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen (for pain and inflammation) may be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in African-American children, with higher rates seen in those who are overweight.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, early walking, or a family history of Blount’s disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early detection and treatment often lead to a good outcome; untreated cases may progress and require more invasive surgical intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Worsening of deformity leading to permanent leg shortening. Joint problems, such as osteoarthritis, later in life.

Osteomalacia/Rickets

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Bone Diseases

Symptoms:
bone pain; muscle weakness; deformities in bones (e.g., bowed legs in children); difficulty walking; fractures

Root Cause:
A deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate leads to poor bone mineralization, causing soft bones. Rickets occurs in children, while osteomalacia is the term used in adults.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through blood tests showing low calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D levels, and X-rays showing softening and deformities in bones.

Treatment:
Treatment involves vitamin D and calcium supplementation, as well as addressing any underlying nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption issues.

Medications:
Vitamin D supplements (e.g., cholecalciferol ), calcium supplements, and phosphate supplementation if needed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common in developed countries but more prevalent in areas with limited sunlight or poor nutritional intake.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Inadequate dietary intake, lack of sunlight exposure, malabsorption disorders, and certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With treatment, bone health typically improves, but long-term complications may occur if not addressed early.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bone deformities, fractures, growth retardation in children, and muscle weakness.

Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Bone Diseases

Symptoms:
pain in the affected joint; limited range of motion; joint stiffness; pain that worsens with activity

Root Cause:
Death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply, commonly affecting the hip joint but can occur in other bones. Causes include trauma, corticosteroid use, alcohol abuse, and certain medical conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through imaging techniques like MRI or X-rays, which reveal bone damage and loss of structure.

Treatment:
Treatment options include medications for pain management, physical therapy, core decompression surgery, and in advanced cases, joint replacement surgery.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ), bisphosphonates, and anticoagulants in some cases (to prevent further damage).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Osteonecrosis affects about 20,000 to 30,000 individuals in the U.S. annually, often affecting people aged 30 to 50 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, corticosteroid use, alcohol consumption, HIV/AIDS, and certain medical conditions like lupus or sickle cell disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early detection and treatment can preserve joint function, but untreated osteonecrosis often leads to joint collapse and requires surgery.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Joint collapse, severe pain, and the need for joint replacement.

Fibrous Dysplasia

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Bone Diseases

Symptoms:
bone pain; bone deformities; fractures; limb length discrepancy

Root Cause:
A genetic condition in which normal bone is replaced by fibrous tissue, leading to bone weakness and deformities.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed with X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, which show areas of bone replacement with fibrous tissue. A biopsy may be needed for confirmation.

Treatment:
Treatment options may include pain management, surgery to correct deformities, and bisphosphonates to improve bone density.

Medications:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., pamidronate ) and other pain medications, such as NSAIDs, can be prescribed to manage symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 1 in 30,000 to 100,000 individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
A mutation in the GNAS gene, typically presenting in childhood or adolescence.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
While fibrous dysplasia is a chronic condition, with proper management, individuals can lead active lives, though bone deformities may persist.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Fractures, deformities, and, in some cases, progression to malignant transformation (e.g., osteosarcoma).